Estonia hopes for good results from unification talks in Cyprus

08.04.2014

In meeting Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis in Athens, foreign minister Urmas Paet said that Estonia hopes for progress in the newly revived negotiations between the Cypriot president and leader of North Cyprus to achieve a comprehensive solution and the reunification of the island country. "An agreement leading to the unification of Cyprus would have a positive impact on the entire region," Paet said.

Paet stated that the area of information technology offers good opportunities for economic cooperation between Estonia and Cyprus. "The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement that has now entered into force has created a good foundation for the promotion of economic cooperation between Cyprus and Estonia," Paet noted.

In 2012 Cyprus was Estonia's 53rd trading partner, with a trading share of 0.1%. The total trade volume was 16.6 million, of which exports accounted for 9 million and imports 7.6 million.

While speaking on the situation in Syria, Paet said that supporting countries who are receiving Syrian refugees is important to Estonia. "We acknowledge Cyprus's efforts in taking in Syrian refugees and thereby helping to alleviate the humanitarian situation," he said.